Inexpensive Kitchen Makeovers

They say that the kitchen is the heart of a home.  It's also one of the biggest selling points in Western North Carolina real estate.  If you're thinking about selling your home soon, you may want to give your kitchen a facelift.  You don't have to break your piggy bank to make an impression.  There are several ways you can give your kitchen an inexpensive makeover.

The first and cheapest way to make your Western North Carolina kitchen shine is to get down to the nitty gritty.  A deep, thorough cleaning can make a dingy kitchen sparkle like new.  That means wiping down all surfaces, bleaching the grout (if necessary), cleaning out the cobwebs, scrubbing the baseboards, washing down the backsplash and moving furniture and appliances (stove, refrigerator, dishwasher) to get at all the crumbs and dirt that accumulates.  Your oven should be cleaned inside AND out.  Don't think for a minute that a potential buyer will pass up the opportunity to open up your cabinets, pantry or oven door to see what's going on inside.

Next, consider a fresh coat of paint.  Avocado and mustard are great to eat.  As far as colors for your kitchen go, however, they don't make your mouth water.  Light (but not too bright) colors will help bring your kitchen out of the disco age and into the 21st century.  At under $20 per gallon, it's a great deal. 

Kitchen cabinets can become dull quickly.  Liven things up by adding some molding, updating/adding new hardware and dressing them up with new paint.  You can paint them the same color as the walls (which may help make smaller kitchens appear larger) or have them stand out even more by using a color that compliments your walls.  There's no sense spending good money on new cabinets if the old ones are still in good condition.

Finally, consider splurging on just one high end item.  A new custom hood over the stove, a special backsplash, upgraded lighting or even a plate rack can make it look like you spent thousands on the kitchen.  Visit a mass retailer for ideas and deals.

Updating your Western North Carolina kitchen's look doesn't have to mean spending your children's college fund.  There are several inexpensive ways to give your kitchen a makeover.  Some won't even cost you a dime.  Most will only take a weekend to finish.  All of them can help increase your bottom line when it comes time to sell.

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/01/19/inexpensive-kitchen-makeovers/.